PIA Press Release2006/10/30

Stricter implementation of projects seen

TABUK, Kalinga (30 October) -- Implementation of priority projects in the barangays here will now be stricter after guidelines were set from a series of direct consultation with the people.

According to Loyda Bagayao of the Tabuk Municipal Planning and Development Office, selection of projects was based on the overall economic impact and its pass-on benefits from the specific local government unit to its environment and the sustainability of project in relation to the resources of the beneficiary barangay.

One high impact project from each of the 43 barangays was determined by the people themselves during the consultation for funding assistance under the equal sharing program of Tabuk LGU allotted yearly as municipal counterpart.

She said most of the identified projects are infrastructure explaining that barangays desire to put in place first physical improvements and establish permanent access like farm to market roads.

"Aside from identifying their needs in these consultations, it helps them in framing up their respective Barangay Development Plan and Annual Investment Plan," Bagayao said adding, the public forum is held every October of the year in preparation of project listing to be funded and implemented in the following fiscal year. It can be recalled that Tabuk LGU increased by 50% its funding assistance to barangays from P100,000 to P150,000 after tax collection also increased as a result of its intensified revenue generation campaign.

Last year, barangay Suyang was awarded P150,000.00 incentive for achieving a 100% tax collection. It received a higher prize than what it collected by about P20,000.

The counterparting scheme adopted in the development process, with the national government sharing the biggest pie and the LGU providing what it can give has fast-tracked implementation of several projects in the rural areas. (PIA-Kalinga) [top]